Projectile that includes propulsion system and launch motor on opposing sides of payload and method

ABSTRACT

Projectiles that include a propulsion system and a launch motor which are located on opposing sides of a payload and a method of directing a projectile toward a target are generally described herein. Placing the propulsion system and the launch motor on opposing sides of the payload may provide many potential advantages when designing the projectile. These design advantages may make it easier to create a projectile that includes more propellant and/or payload while still permitting the projectile to be stored within existing containers having a fixed size.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments pertain to a projectile, and more particularly to aprojectile that includes a launch motor and a propulsion systemconfigured to deliver a payload.

BACKGROUND

Projectiles are typically designed in order to deliver a payload (e.g.,kinetic weapon) to an intended release point at maximum velocity. Mostprojectiles have one or more stages of propulsion that are positionedbehind the payload in order to provide thrust and attitude control.

Existing projectiles are typically stored within fixed-size containers.Since the containers have a fixed size, the projectiles are usuallylength-limited so that the projectile can fit within the fixed-size(i.e., length) container.

These size constraints limit the amount of propellant (or size ofpayload) that a given size projectile can carry. The size limitationswithin existing projectiles also make it difficult to include anappropriate amount of thermal insulation within the projectile. Thethermal insulation is typically needed in order to protect the payloadfrom aero-thermal heating as the projectile passes through theatmosphere.

Another drawback with existing projectiles is that it is often difficultto incorporate an aerospike on the forward end of the projectile.Aerospikes are difficult to incorporate into projectiles because theyadd unwanted length to the projectile. This unwanted additional lengthleads to a decrease in propellant (or payload packaging volume) in orderto accommodate the aerospike within a container.

Thus, there are general needs for projectiles that allow for aneffective increase in the amount of propellant and/or payload within aprojectile without increasing the overall effective size (length) of theprojectile. Increasing the amount of propellant and/or payload withinthe projectile without increasing the overall effective size of theprojectile length allows an improved projectile to fit within existingfixed-size containers.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments relate to a projectile that includes a payload and alaunch motor on an aft end of the projectile. The projectile furtherincludes a propulsion system located on a fore end of the projectile.The propulsion system and the launch motor are located on opposing sidesof the payload.

The launch motor directs thrust from the aft end of the projectile andthe propulsion system is initially oriented to direct thrust in anopposite direction to the thrust generated by the launch motor. In someembodiments, the payload may include lateral thrusters that rotate thepayload such that propulsion system becomes the aft end of theprojectile once the launch motor has been ejected. In other embodiments,the propulsion system may include lateral thrusters that rotate thepayload such that the propulsion system becomes the aft end of theprojectile once the launch motor has been ejected. It should be notedthat in those embodiments where the propulsion system includes lateralthrusters to rotate the projectile, the payload may also include lateralthrusters to rotate the payload after the propulsion system has beenejected.

The propulsion system may include a motor section that is attached tothe payload and an expendable shroud that is attached to the motorsection. In some embodiments, the expendable shroud may be a nose cone,although it should be noted that the expendable shroud may takedifferent forms in other embodiments.

As an example, the expendable shroud may be formed of a plurality ofcomponents such that the components are adapted to telescope inside oneanother. The plurality of components that form the shroud may becollapsed when the projectile is stored within a container and expandedto form a nose cone when the projectile is removed from the container.The number, size and type of components that make up the nose cone willdepend in part on the design of the propulsion system and the desiredshape of the nose cone that is to be utilized on the projectile.

Embodiments are also contemplated where the shroud is formed as a bluntnose cone. Forming the shroud as a blunt cone allows projectiledesigners to more effectively utilize space within the projectile.

In some embodiments, the motor section may form part of the tapered nosecone. In other embodiments, the motor section may include a cylindricalcasing to permit the motor section to store more propellant.

The propulsion system may include an aerospike that is positioned withinthe motor section and extends through the expendable shroud. Theaerospike may include a head that rests on top of the expendable shroud,although it should be noted that the aerospike may take different formsin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the aerospike may bedeployable from within the propulsion system to extend forward out ofthe projectile.

Other embodiments relate to a method of directing a projectile toward atarget. The method includes directing the projectile along a flight pathtoward the target using a launch motor located on an aft end of theprojectile and expelling the launch motor from an aft end of theprojectile. The method further includes rotating the projectile suchthat a propulsion system located on a fore end of the projectile becomesthe aft end of the projectile and directing the projectile along aflight path toward the target using the propulsion system.

In some embodiments, directing the projectile along a flight path towardthe target using a launch motor located on an aft end of the projectilemay include directing the projectile using a first booster motor,ejecting the first booster motor from the projectile and directing theprojectile using a second booster motor. In addition, expelling thelaunch motor from an aft end of the projectile may include ejecting thesecond booster motor from the projectile.

Rotating the projectile such that a propulsion system located on a foreend of the projectile becomes the aft end of the projectile may include(i) rotating the projectile using lateral thrusters on the payload;and/or (ii) rotating the projectile using lateral thrusters on thepropulsion system. In those embodiments where the projectile is rotatedusing lateral thrusters on the propulsion system, the method may furtherinclude ejecting the propulsion system and rotating the projectile usinglateral thrusters on the payload in order to reverse the front and backends of the payload.

In some embodiments, the method further includes expelling a shroud fromthe propulsion system in order to expose a motor section of thepropulsion system. The type of shroud that is used will depend in parton the design of the rest of the propulsion system, especially the motorsection of the propulsion system. As an example, the shroud may includea plurality of collapsed telescoped components such that method furtherincludes expanding the collapsed plurality of components that are in atelescoping relationship in order form a nose cone.

The method may further include deploying an aerospike from within thepropulsion system. As an example, the aerospike may be stored within anozzle in the motor section of the propulsion system such that theaerospike is deployed forward from the projectile from a stored locationinside the nozzle of the motor section.

Positioning the propulsion system of a projectile in front of thepayload may allow the projectile to be designed with a more efficientuse of space. As examples, the improved projectile may have moreavailable volume to store propellant (or payload), and may provide spaceto store an aerospike within a nozzle of the propulsion system. Inaddition, the projectile may include an extendible nose cone that allowsthe projectile to be designed with a more efficient use of space forstorage within a fixed-size container.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription of the preferred example, which description should be takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of an example projectile in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the projectile shown in FIG. 1A after a firstbooster stage has been ejected in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the projectile shown in FIG. 1B after thesecond booster stage has been ejected in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 1D is a side view of the projectile shown in FIG. 1C illustratingthrusters in the payload firing to rotate the projectile in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 1E is a side view of the projectile shown in FIG. 1D after thethrusters have further rotated the projectile and a shroud has beenexpelled from the front end of the projectile in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 1F is a side view of the projectile shown in FIG. 1E after thethrusters have rotated the projectile such that the payload is on thefront end of the projectile in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1G is a side view of the projectile shown in FIG. 1F after thethrusters have rotated the projectile such that the payload is on thefront end of the projectile and the propulsion system has been expelledin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1H is a side view of the projectile shown in FIG. 1G illustratingthrusters in the payload firing to again rotate the projectile inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1I is a side view of the projectile shown in FIG. 1H after thethrusters have further rotated the projectile to position a sensor onthe projectile at the front end of the projectile in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a perspective of an example propulsion system that may beused in the example projectile shown in FIGS. 1A-1F in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the example propulsion system shown inFIG. 2A where an expendable shroud has been expelled from a motorsection of the propulsion system to expose a nozzle on the motor sectionin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic section view of an example propulsion system thatmay be used in the example projectile shown in FIGS. 1A-1F in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a schematic section view of another example propulsion systemthat may be used in the example projectile shown in FIGS. 1A-1F wherethe nose cone is formed of a plurality of telescoped components inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a schematic section view of the example projectile shown inFIG. 4A where the plurality of telescoped components are extended toform the nose cone in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5A is a schematic section view of an example projectile thatincludes an aerospike within the propulsion system in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 5B is a schematic section view of the projectile shown in FIG. 5Awhere the aerospike has been deployed in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 6A is a schematic section view of an example projectile thatincludes an expandable nose cone and an aerospike within the propulsionsystem in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6B is schematic section view of the projectile shown in FIG. 6Awhere the plurality of telescoped components are extended to form thenose cone in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6C is schematic section view of the projectile shown in FIG. 6Bwhere the aerospike has been extended in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 7A is schematic section view of another projectile where theprojectile includes a blunt nose cone and an aerospike within thepropulsion system.

FIG. 7B is schematic section view of the projectile shown in FIG. 7Awhere the aerospike is deployed in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of directing aprojectile toward a target in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustratespecific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practicethem. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical,process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodimentsmay be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments.Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalentsof those claims.

As used herein, projectile refers to missiles, interceptors, guidedprojectiles, unguided projectiles, rockets and sub-munitions.

As used herein, a fore end, or front end, of a projectile refers to theend of the projectile that is closest to the direction of travel at aparticular point in time. In addition, as used herein, an aft end, orback end, of a projectile refers to the end of the projectile that isfarthest from the direction of travel at a particular point in time.

The accompanying figures illustrate an example projectile 10 inaccordance with some embodiments. In the illustrated example embodiment,the projectile 10 is a missile, although the scope of the embodiments isnot limited in this respect.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1I, the example projectile 10 includes a payload 14and a launch motor 16 on an aft end of the projectile 10. The projectile10 further includes a propulsion system 12 located on a fore end of theprojectile 10. The propulsion system 12 and the launch motor 16 arelocated on opposing sides of the payload 14.

Placing the propulsion system 12 and the launch motor 16 on opposingsides of the payload 14 may provide many potential advantages whendesigning the projectile 10. These design advantages may make it easierto create a projectile 10 that includes more propellant and/or payloadwhile still permitting the projectile 10 to be stored within existingcontainers having a fixed size.

The ability to maintain the overall size of the projectile 10 so thatthe projectile 10 can be stored within a fixed-size container isimportant because fixed-size containers are commonly utilized to storeand/or transport the projectiles 10 in things like planes, ships,trucks, warehouse and the like. Changing the overall size of theprojectile 10 may undesirably require a change to the containers, whichmay further require an unwanted change to the planes, ships, trucks,warehouses and so forth that store/transport the projectiles 10.

The payload 14 may be a kinetic warhead, satellite or any other itemthat needs to be delivered to a target or specific location. The type ofpayload 14 that is included in the projectile 10 will depend in part onthe application where the projectile 10 is to be used.

In addition, the size of the payload 14 relative to the overall size ofthe projectile 10 will be determined in part by the type of missionwhere the projectile 10 is to be used. As an example, for missions thatrequire the projectile 10 to travel a great distance, or achieve agreater velocity, the projectile 10 is likely to carry more propellantand have a smaller payload 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the launch motor 16 may include a first boostermotor 17B and a second booster motor 17A. The type of launch motor 16,including the number of booster motors 17A, 17B, that are included inthe projectile 10 will depend in part on the distance (or velocity) thatthe projectile 10 needs to travel as well as the application where theprojectile 10 is to be used.

It should be noted that embodiments are contemplated where theprojectile 10 includes one booster motor or more than two boostermotors. In addition, when multiple booster motors are utilized in theprojectile 10, each of the booster motors may be the same size (ordifferent sizes) depending on the mission parameters.

The launch motor 16 directs thrust from the aft end of the projectile 10and the propulsion system 12 is initially oriented to direct thrust inan opposite direction to the thrust generated by the launch motor 16.The propulsion system 12 is eventually used to direct the projectile 10toward the target once the launch motor 16 has been ejected and theprojectile 10 has been rotated (see, e.g., the rotating projectile 10shown in FIGS. 1D-1F).

As shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E, the payload 14 may include lateralthrusters 31 that rotate the payload 14 such that the propulsion system12 becomes the aft end of the projectile 10 once the launch motor 16 hasbeen ejected. It should be noted any number, size, type and style oflateral thruster 31 may be included on the payload 14.

The number, size, type and style of lateral thruster 31 will depend inpart on the overall configuration of the projectile 10 as well as theapplication where the projectile 10 is to be utilized. In addition, thearrangement of the lateral thrusters 31 on the payload 14 will bedetermined by desired maneuverability of the projectile 10 when usingthe lateral thrusters 31.

In other embodiments, the propulsion system 12 may include lateralthrusters 30 that rotate the payload 14 such that the propulsion system12 becomes the aft end of the projectile 10 once the launch motor 16 hasbeen ejected. It should be noted any number, size, type and style oflateral thruster 30 may be included on the propulsion system 12.

The number, size, type and style of lateral thruster 30 will depend inpart on the overall configuration of the projectile 10 as well as theapplication where the projectile 10 is to be utilized. In addition, thearrangement of the lateral thrusters 30 on the propulsion system 12 willbe determined by desired maneuverability of the projectile 10 when usingthe lateral thrusters 30.

In those embodiments where the propulsion system 12 includes lateralthrusters 30 to rotate the projectile 10, the payload 14 may alsoinclude lateral thrusters 32 to rotate the payload 14 after thepropulsion system 12 has been ejected. As shown most clearly in FIGS.1G-1H, the payload 14 may include additional lateral thrusters 32 thatserve to rotate the payload 14 after the propulsion system 12 has beenejected (see, e.g., FIG. 1G). The number, size, type and style oflateral thruster 32 will depend in part on the overall configuration ofthe payload 14 and the arrangement of any other lateral thrusters thatare included on the projectile 10.

In addition, the projectile 10 may be configured such that the payload14 has a front end near the propulsion system 12 and a back end near thelaunch motor 16. The projectile 10 may further include a sensor 40located at the front end of the payload 14 such that the sensor 40acquires the target after the launch motor 16 and the propulsion system12 have been ejected, and the lateral thrusters 32 in the payload 14have rotated the payload 14 into an appropriate orientation (shown inFIG. 1I).

It should be noted that the type of sensor 40 that is used in thepayload 14 will depend in part on the size and shape of the payload 14as well as the application where the projectile 10 is to be used. Someexample sensors that may be used in the projectile 10 include, but arenot limited to, thermal, optical, ladar and radar (among others).

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 2A-2B, the propulsion system 12 mayinclude a motor section 21 that is attached to the payload 14 and anexpendable shroud 20 that is attached to the motor section 21. Theexpendable shroud 20 may be attached to the motor section 21 in anymanner that facilitates expelling the expendable shroud 20 from thepropulsion system 12 at the appropriate time during the flight.

In some embodiments, the expendable shroud 20 may be a nose cone,although it should be noted that the expendable shroud 20 may takedifferent forms in other embodiments. The overall size and shape of theexpendable shroud 20 will depend on a variety of design considerations.

As shown in FIG. 3, the expendable shroud 20 may be formed of a singlepiece. Although in other embodiments, the expendable shroud 20 may beformed of a plurality of components 23A, 23B such that the components23A, 23B are adapted to telescope inside one another (see, e.g.components 23A, 23B in FIGS. 4A-4B). FIG. 4A shows the components 23A,23B collapsed into one another while FIG. 4B shows the components 23A,23B expanded to form a nose cone.

It should be noted that embodiments are contemplated where theexpendable shroud 20 is simply a cylinder such that there is no taperingwithin the shroud 20. Embodiments are also contemplated where theexpendable shroud 20 and the motor section 21 form a cylinder.

FIGS. 1E and 1F show an example of the expendable shroud 20 beingejected from the rest of projectile 10 in accordance with someembodiments. Although FIGS. 1E and 1F show the expendable shroud 20being ejected as single piece, it should be noted that the expendableshroud 20 may separate from the rest of the propulsion system 12 asmultiple pieces.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2A-2B, once the shroud 20 is separatedfrom the motor section 21, a nozzle 22 within the propulsion system 12is exposed. The exposure of the nozzle 22 (see FIG. 2B) allows thepropulsion system 12 to direct the projectile 10 toward the target oncethe projectile 10 has been rotated to reverse the front and back ends ofthe projectile 10 (see, e.g., FIG. 1F where the propulsion system 12 isdirecting the projectile 10).

In the illustrated example embodiments, the motor section 21 may formpart of the tapered nose cone. The overall shape of the projectile 10will depend in part on how (and where) the casing of the motor section21 and the nose cone join together to form the outer surface of theprojectile 10.

In other embodiments, the motor section 21 may include a cylindricalcasing to permit the motor section 21 to store more propellant. Therelative length of the cylindrical casing and size and shape of the nosecone will depend on a variety of design considerations.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the propulsion system 12 may include anaerospike 50 that is positioned within the motor section 21 and extendsthrough the expendable shroud 20. The aerospike 50 may be connected tothe expendable shroud 20 in any manner that permits the expendableshroud 20 to be expelled from the rest of the projectile 10.

The aerospike 50 may include a head 51 that initially rests on top ofthe expendable shroud 20 (see, e.g., FIG. 5A where head 51 of aerospike50 is on the shroud 20), although it should be noted that the aerospike50 may take different forms in other embodiments. In some embodiments,the aerospike 50 may be deployable from within the propulsion system 12to extend forward out of the projectile 10.

In the example embodiments that are illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B, thedeployable aerospike 50 extends through a nozzle 22 of the motor section21. FIG. 5A shows the aerospike 50 in a stowed position within the motorsection 21, while FIG. 5B shows the aerospike 50 extended into adeployed position.

The aerospike 50 may be deployed from the motor section 21 by any meansthat permits acceptable deployment from the propulsion system 12. As anexample, the aerospike 50 may be deployed by an electric motor (notshown) within the propulsion system 12. It should be noted that theamount that the aerospike 50 is extended from the projectile 10 may beadjustable (during flight) to help maximize velocity by reducing drag onthe projectile 10.

Another example way to deploy the aerospike 50 would be through the useof an air bag that is positioned below the aerospike 50. The air bagwould inflate in order to deploy the aerospike 50 at the appropriatetime during the flight.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an example embodiment where an aerospike 50 iscombined with an expendable shroud 20 that is formed of a plurality ofcomponents 23A, 23B such that the components 23A, 23B are collapsed andtelescoped inside one another to reduce the effective length of theprojectile 10 during storage inside a container (see FIG. 6A).

The components 23A, 23B are expanded when the projectile 10 is removedfrom the container to form the nose cone (see FIG. 6B). In someembodiments, the device that is used to deploy the aerospike 50 may bethe same device that is used to expand the components 23A, 23B whichform the nose cone.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the head 51 of the aerospike 50 may remainagainst one of the components 23A until the aerospike 50 is deployed(see FIG. 6C). The number, size and type of components 23A, 23B thatmake up the nose cone will depend in part on the design of the aerospike50 and the desired shape of the nose cone that is to be utilized on theprojectile 10.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the shroud 20 may be formed as a blunt nosecone in other embodiments in order to more effectively utilize spacewithin the projectile 10. Forming the shroud 20 as a blunt nose coneallows the space within the projectile to be used more effectively(i.e., to include more payload and/or propellant) because there is morecapacity within a fixed overall length of the projectile 10. Asdiscussed above, the length of the projectile 10 needs to be kept at orbelow a certain size in order for the projectile 10 to fit withincontainers that have a fixed size.

FIGS. 7A-7B also show that the propulsion system 12 may include anadjustment mechanism 60 that is used to maneuver the motor section 21.The type of adjustment mechanism 60 that is used to adjust the motorsection 21 will depend on the design of the motor section 21 as well asdesired maneuverability of the projectile 10 when the projectile 10 isbeing powered by the propulsion system 12.

One example adjustment mechanism 60 may be an electric ball screwactuator. Another example adjustment mechanism 60 may include a devicethat uses a hydraulic actuator.

One example concept of operation for the projectile 10 will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1A-1I.

FIG. 1A shows the projectile 10 being directed toward a target by launchmotor 16. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, a firstbooster motor 17B is directing the projectile 10 toward the target.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the first booster motor 17B is expelled from therest of the projectile 10. The projectile 10 is then being directedtoward the target by a second booster motor 17A.

FIG. 1C shows the second booster motor 17A being expelled from the restof the projectile 10. The projectile 10 is still traveling along aprescribed flight path even after the second booster motor 17A has beenexpelled.

As shown in FIG. 1D, lateral thrusters 31 on the payload 14 serve tostart rotating the projectile 10. In other embodiments, lateralthrusters 30 on the propulsion system 12 may be used to start rotatingthe projectile 10.

FIG. 1E shows the lateral thrusters 31 on the payload 14 continuing torotate the projectile 10. In addition, the shroud 20 on the projectile10 has just been expelled from the rest of the projectile 10 in order toexpose on a nozzle 22 in the motor section 21 of the propulsion system12. It should be noted that in other operations, the shroud 20 may beexpelled sooner or later than what is shown as an example in FIG. 1E. Insome embodiments, the rotation of the projectile 10 may facilitateexpelling the shroud 20 from the projectile 10.

As shown in FIG. 1F, the lateral thrusters 31 on the payload 14 rotatethe projectile 10 until the front and back ends of the projectile 10 arereversed from what is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C. The lateral thrusters31 on the payload 14 (and/or the lateral thrusters 30 on the propulsionsystem 12) may be used to stop the rotation of the projectile 10 so thatthe propulsion system 12 is behind the payload 14. Once the propulsionsystem 12 is behind the payload 14, the propulsion system 12 directs theprojectile 10 toward the target.

FIG. 1G shows the remaining propulsion system 12 being expelled from therest of the projectile 10. The remaining projectile 10 is stilltraveling along a prescribed flight path even after the motor section 21of the propulsion system 12 has been expelled.

As shown in FIG. 1H, lateral thrusters 32 on the payload 14 may serve tostart rotating the projectile 10. The projectile 10 may need to berotated in order to orient/align a sensor 40 on the projectile 10 sothat the sensor 40 is facing the direction of travel.

FIG. 1I shows the projectile 10 after the lateral thrusters 32 on theprojectile 10 have rotated the projectile 10 until the front and backends of the projectile 10 are reversed from what is illustrated in FIG.1G. The lateral thrusters 32 on the payload 14 may be used to stop therotation of the projectile 10 so that the sensor 40 is facing thedirection of travel. Once the sensor 40 is facing the direction oftravel, the sensor 40 can direct the projectile 10 toward the target.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a method 100 of directing a projectile 10toward a target. The description of the method 100 includes referencesto elements and features previously described herein. It should be notedthat the operations of the method 100 may be performed by a systemcontroller of the projectile 10 that includes one or more processors.

The references provided are intended to be exemplary and not limiting.Where reference is made to a particular element and a number isprovided, the corresponding element listed is not limiting and insteadincludes other exemplary elements herein as well as their equivalents.

At 102, the method 100 includes directing the projectile 10 along aflight path toward the target using a launch motor 16 located on an aftend of the projectile 10 (see, e.g., launch motor 16 that includesbooster motors 17A, 17B in FIG. 1A). In some embodiments, directing theprojectile 10 along a flight path toward the target using a launch motor16 located on an aft end of the projectile 10 may include directing theprojectile 10 using a first booster motor 17B, ejecting the firstbooster motor 17B from the projectile 10 and directing the projectile 10using a second booster motor 17A.

At 104, the method 100 further includes expelling the launch motor 16from an aft end of the projectile 10. As shown in FIGS. 1B-1C, expellingthe launch motor 16 from an aft end of the projectile 10 may includeejecting a first booster motor 17B from the projectile 10 (discussedabove) and then ejecting a second booster motor 17A from the projectile10. The manner and timing in which the launch motor 16 is expelled fromthe projectile 10 will depend in part on the overall mission for theprojectile 10 as well as the number of booster motors that make up thelaunch motor 16.

At 112, the method 100 further includes rotating the projectile 10 suchthat a propulsion system 12 located on a fore end of the projectile 10becomes the aft end of the projectile 10. In some embodiments, rotatingthe projectile 10 such that a propulsion system 12 located on a fore endof the projectile 10 becomes the aft end of the projectile 10 mayinclude rotating the projectile 10 using lateral thrusters 31 on thepayload 14. It should be noted that in the example embodiment shown inFIGS. 1D-1E, the lateral thrusters 31 on the payload 14 serve to rotatethe projectile 10.

In other embodiments, rotating the projectile 10 may include usinglateral thrusters 30 on the propulsion system 12. In those embodimentswhere the projectile 10 is rotated using lateral thrusters 30 on thepropulsion system 12, the method 100 may further include ejecting thepropulsion system 12 and rotating the projectile 10 using lateralthrusters 32 on the payload 14 in order to reverse the front and backends of the payload 14. As an example, FIG. 1G shows the propulsionsystem 12 being ejected from the rest of the projectile 10 and FIG. 1Hshows the payload 14 being rotated using the lateral thrusters 32 on thepayload 14.

At 114, the method 100 further includes directing the projectile 10along a flight path toward the target using the propulsion system 12.FIGS. 1D-1E illustrate an example embodiment of the projectile 10 beingrotated into a position so that the propulsion system 12 can be used todirect the projectile 10 toward the target while FIG. 1F shows theprojectile 10 being directed toward the target using the propulsionsystem 12.

At 116, the method 100 may further include directing the projectile 10along the flight path toward the target using a sensor 40 on the payload14 (see, e.g., FIG. 1I where sensor 40 is exposed and facing thedirection of travel). The manner in which the sensor 40 directs theprojectile 10 toward the target will depend in part on the overallmission for the projectile 10 as well as the type of sensor 40 that isincluded in the projectile 10.

At 110, the method 100 may further include expelling a shroud 20 fromthe propulsion system 12 in order to expose a motor section 21 of thepropulsion system 12. The type of shroud 20 that is used will depend inpart on the design of the rest of the propulsion system 12, especiallythe motor section 21 of the propulsion system 12.

In addition, the manner in which the shroud 20 is expelled will varydepending on the type of shroud 20 that is utilized. As discussed above,the shroud 20 may be expelled as a single piece or as multiple pieces.

In some embodiments, the shroud 20 may be expelled due to centrifugalforces that are generated on the shroud 20 as the projectile 10 rotates(see, e.g., FIGS. 1D-1E). In addition, a parachute (not shown) may bestored within the shroud 20. When the parachute is deployed, theparachute may use aerodynamic forces to (i) rotate the projectile; and(ii) pull the shroud 20 from the projectile 10.

In other embodiments, the shroud 20 may be expelled as a result of aforce that is applied to the shroud 20 by some other portion of theprojectile 10. As an example, a force may be applied to the shroud 20 bydetonating an explosive charge near (or on) the shroud 20. As anotherexample, a force may be applied to the shroud 20 by some type ofmechanism that manually manipulates the shroud 20 (e.g., some form oftriggering arm).

In some embodiments, the shroud 20 may include a plurality of collapsedtelescoped components 23A, 23B such that at 106 method 100 furtherincludes expanding the collapsed plurality of components 23A, 23B thatare in a telescoping relationship in order form a nose cone. FIG. 3illustrates an example embodiment where the shroud 20 is a single piecenose cone while FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate telescoped components 23A, 23Bthat are collapsed for storage of the projectile 10 (see FIG. 4A) andexpanded into a nose cone once the projectile 10 is removed from storage(see FIG. 4B).

It should be noted that the number and type of telescoped components mayvary depending on the desired configuration of the projectile 10, and inparticular the shroud 20. The manner in which the components areexpanded will depend in part on the shape of the components that areexpanded to form the shroud 20.

In the example embodiment that is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, one of thecomponents 23A rests inside the other component 23B. The outer component23B actually forms part of the casing of the propulsion system 12 whilethe inner component 23A moves relative to the outer component 23B toform the front end of the projectile 10 (i.e., the nose cone).

At 108, the method 100 may further include deploying an aerospike 50from within the propulsion system 12. FIG. 5B illustrates an exampleprojectile 10 where the aerospike 50 has been deployed.

In some embodiments, the aerospike 50 may be stored within a nozzle 22in a motor section 21 of the propulsion system 12 (see FIG. 5A). Theaerospike 50 is deployed forward from the projectile 10 from the storedlocation inside the nozzle 22 of the motor section 21 (see FIG. 5B).

The aerospike 50 may be deployed from the motor section 21 by any meansthat permits acceptable deployment of the aerospike 50 from thepropulsion system 12. The manner in which the aerospike 50 is deployedwill depend in part on the shape of the aerospike 50 as well as theoverall size and shape of the projectile 10.

It should be noted that embodiments are contemplated where an aerospike50 is utilized in combination with a shroud 20 that includes a pluralityof telescoped components. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS.6A-6C, the shroud 20 is formed of a plurality of collapsed telescopedcomponents 23A, 23B (FIG. 6A) such that the components 23A, 23B areexpanded (FIG. 6B) to form a nose cone before the aerospike 50 isdeployed (FIG. 6C).

The projectiles and methods described herein may provide the ability toefficiently utilize space within the projectiles while still allowingthe projectiles to be stored in fixed-size containers. In addition,placing the propulsion system in front of the payload and then rotatingthe projectile (i) allows items (e.g., an aerospike) to be stored withinthe projectiles before the propulsion system is used; (ii) allows asensor to be more readily designed into a payload; and (iii) providesadditional space to store more propellant and/or payload.

In the foregoing description, the subject matter has been described withreference to specific exemplary examples. However, it will beappreciated that various modifications and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present subject matter as set forthherein. The description and figures are to be regarded in anillustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent subject matter. Accordingly, the scope of the subject mattershould be determined by the generic examples described herein and theirlegal equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples describedabove. For example, the steps recited in any method or process examplemay be executed in any order and are not limited to the explicit orderpresented in the specific examples. Additionally, the components and/orelements recited in any apparatus example may be assembled or otherwiseoperationally configured in a variety of permutations to producesubstantially the same result as the present subject matter and areaccordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in thespecific examples.

Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been describedabove with regard to particular examples; however, any benefit,advantage, solution to problems or any element that may cause anyparticular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become morepronounced, are not to be construed as critical, required or essentialfeatures or components.

As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any variationthereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such thata process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises alist of elements does not include only those elements recited, but mayalso include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to suchprocess, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinationsand/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements,applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in thepractice of the present subject matter, in addition to those notspecifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted tospecific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parametersor other operating requirements without departing from the generalprinciples of the same.

The present subject matter has been described above with reference toexamples. However, changes and modifications may be made to the exampleswithout departing from the scope of the present subject matter. Theseand other changes or modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the present subject matter, as expressed in the followingclaims.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Many other examples will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the abovedescription. It should be noted that examples discussed in differentportions of the description or referred to in different drawings can becombined to form additional examples of the present application. Thescope of the subject matter should, therefore, be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A projectile comprising: a payload; a launchmotor that directs thrust from an aft end of the projectile; apropulsion system located on a fore end of the projectile, wherein thepropulsion system and the launch motor are located on opposing sides ofthe payload, wherein the propulsion system includes a nozzle oriented todirect thrust in an opposite direction to the thrust generated by thelaunch motor and lateral thrusters; and wherein a flight path of theprojectile comprises: a first phase where the launch motor propels theprojectile along the flight path; and a second phase where the launchmotor is ejected from the projectile and the projectile is rotated suchthat the nozzle becomes an aft end of the projectile.
 2. The projectileof claim 1 wherein the payload includes lateral thrusters that rotatethe payload after the propulsion system has been ejected from thepayload.
 3. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the propulsion systemincludes a motor section attached to the payload and an expendableshroud attached to the motor section.
 4. The projectile of claim 3wherein the expendable shroud is a nose cone that is formed of aplurality of components such that the components are adapted totelescope inside one another.
 5. The projectile of claim 3 wherein themotor section includes a cylindrical casing.